10 Cities Near Durban + Drive Times
The 10 closest cities to Durban, South Africa, ranked by distance — with drive time, flight time and day-trip vs weekend-getaway picks, including Mpumalanga, KwaDukuza, Pietermaritzburg.
The closest notable city to Durban, South Africa is Mpumalanga, about 24 mi (38 km) away — roughly 46 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mpumalanga | 24 mi / 38 km | 46 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| KwaDukuza | 40 mi / 64 km | 1 hr 11 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Pietermaritzburg | 42 mi / 67 km | 1 hr 15 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Port Shepstone | 70 mi / 113 km | 2 hr 6 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Richards Bay | 96 mi / 154 km | 2 hr 14 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Dundee | 126 mi / 203 km | 2 hr 56 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Vryheid | 145 mi / 233 km | 3 hr 22 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Newcastle | 160 mi / 257 km | 3 hr 43 min | 48 min | Weekend getaway |
| Phuthaditjhaba | 162 mi / 261 km | 3 hr 46 min | 48 min | Weekend getaway |
| Mthatha | 179 mi / 288 km | 4 hr 10 min | 50 min | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Durban
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Mpumalanga, KwaDukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Port Shepstone, Richards Bay. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Durban
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Dundee, Vryheid, Newcastle, Phuthaditjhaba, Mthatha. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Durban include Mpumalanga, KwaDukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Port Shepstone, Richards Bay. The closest is Mpumalanga, about 24 miles (38 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.